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Bigger, Stephen (2011) Polygyny as Political Fiction in the Hebrew Bible. In: Who do you think you are? Gender and the Transmission of Identity, August 11-13 2011, Oriental Institute, Oxford. (Submitted)
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Abstract
This paper seeks to demonstrate the literary nature of these stories about polygyny, underpinned by the need for fictive kinship relationships in order to create and explain the political status quo after the Babylonian exile. It examines the stories about polygyny in Genesis as later means to create fictive identity. I examine the position of slave-wives and concubines in law and literature, and the use of harems as literary mimics of Persian rulers, to contrast history with fictional narrative. Through polygyny, the paper explores emerging national identities in the postexilic period, and how the ban on intermarriage at that time impacted on women and marriage. The social origins of polygyny are explored, and a new history of biblical polygyny reconstructed. Parallels are explored in the peoples studied by social anthropologists, and a methodology proposed for this.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: | Old Testament, marriage, polygamy, polygyny, concubines |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BM Judaism B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BS The Bible B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion |
| Divisions: | College of Arts, Humanities and Education > School of Education |
| Depositing User: | Stephen Bigger |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Sep 2013 09:39 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jun 2020 16:59 |
| URI: | https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2384 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Polygyny as Political Fiction in the Hebrew Bible. (deposited 18 Jul 2011 08:49)
- Polygyny as Political Fiction in the Hebrew Bible. (deposited 13 Sep 2013 09:39) [Currently Displayed]
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